Britain has been hit by a bone-chilling Arctic blast, with mercury dropping to a frosty -10°C (14°F). Thick snowfalls and freezing winds are set to cause chaos on roads and isolate rural communities across the country.
National Highways has issued a severe weather alert for the North West, urging drivers to think twice before heading out. Some areas experienced brief sunshine, but daytime highs barely reached 3°C (37°F), feeling like -2°C (28°F) with biting northerly winds.
The coldest spot this morning was Cairngorm mountain in the Highlands, freezing at -10.1°C (14°F). Glasgow Airport, Powys, and Cumbria also recorded low temperatures of around -5°C (23°F). Snow warnings are in place for the Lake District, Northumberland, the Pennines, the North West, and parts of Wales, lasting through Thursday.
Met Office expert Liam Eslick said temperatures are 5-6°C colder than usual for December.
Northern Ireland faces snow and ice warnings until 9am tomorrow, while north-east Wales and north-west England, including Liverpool and the West Midlands, have ice warnings until late this morning. East Anglia, including Norwich, is also braced for snow and ice under a Met Office alert running until midnight.
Liam Eslick warned northern travellers to expect delays and advised sticking to main roads. “Country lanes may not be gritted or cleared quickly,” he said. “An Arctic airmass is delivering cold, wintry showers — so be prepared.”
Coastal areas in the North could see wintry showers today. Tomorrow, sleet and snow are expected to sweep eastwards, worsening conditions. The Met Office predicts 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2 in) of snow in Cumbria, Northumberland, and the Pennines, with some areas getting up to 10 cm (4 in). Northern Scotland could be buried under a whopping 20 cm (8 in) of snow.
Wednesday morning is set to be the chilliest, with Cumbria’s Pennines possibly plummeting to -11°C (12°F) — England’s lowest this season, just shy of the UK’s December record of -12.5°C (9.5°F). Southern England is not off the hook either, with lows dipping to -4°C (25°F) and -5°C (27°F) overnight.
Freezing conditions threaten travel delays, power cuts, and hazardous roads. The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold-health alert through Thursday, urging everyone to check on vulnerable neighbours.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time, check their vehicles thoroughly, and carry blankets in case of breakdowns. Amy Fellows, National Network Manager at National Highways, warned: “Plan your journeys carefully. Freezing conditions mean snow and ice hazards are a major threat.”
The UK braces for a harsh winter spell. Stay safe, stay warm, and watch those roads.
Originally published by UKNIP.
